Design and performance assessment of PEMFC-battery hybrid energy systems for UAVs: A multi-criteria methodology
Vikas Tomar, Satya Sekhar Bhogilla, Uday Raj Singh, Jenn‐Kun Kuo
Abstract
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are constrained by limited endurance when powered solely by batteries, and hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems offer a promising alternative for extending flight duration. This paper intends to outline a design methodology for creating a customized, hydrogen-powered low-temperature PEMFC system tailored for various applications of UAVs. Simulations in MATLAB/Simulink are used to examine the influence of key parameters, including aspect ratio, take-off weight, propulsion efficiency, and rate of climb on power demand. Results show that the cruise power requirement was 123 W, while climb mode demanded 613 W, with endurance extended by 1–2 h compared to the reference battery-powered UAV baseline. The proposed design methodology provides a systematic framework for selecting UAV parameters to improve endurance and operational efficiency in hydrogen-powered aerial platforms.